HARRY POTTER :Rebirth in Time

The echo of hurried footsteps reverberated through the cold, narrow halls of Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione, and Daphne sprinted through the castle, their hearts pounding in sync with their racing thoughts. The confrontation in the Shrieking Shack had left them shaken but resolute—they needed answers, and they needed them fast.

As they entered the Gryffindor common room, the warm glow of the fire provided little comfort. Hermione paced restlessly, chewing on her lower lip in thought. Daphne leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. Harry ran a hand through his messy hair, his emerald eyes darkened with worry.

"We can't keep doing this blindly," Hermione finally spoke, her voice filled with determination. "We need more information—who's behind this, what their endgame is, and how they're managing to stay under the radar."

Daphne nodded, her icy blue eyes calculating. "I'll dig into the Slytherin network. They trust me more than either of you, and Malfoy's slip about having 'allies we can't imagine' wasn't just bravado. He's working with someone far more dangerous than before."

Harry looked at Hermione. "What about the library? I know it's your first answer to everything, but maybe there's something we missed—something that connects the past to what's happening now."

Hermione's face brightened with resolve. "It's worth a try. The Restricted Section might have records of ancient dark alliances. I'll talk to Madam Pince and see what I can access without raising suspicion."

Harry exhaled sharply. "And I'll keep an eye on Ron and Ginny. We can't let them get dragged into this any more than they already are. If Malfoy's group makes a move, they'll be the first targets."

Daphne pushed off the wall, her smirk sharp. "Looks like we have our work cut out for us. Let's get to it."

Later that Night – The Restricted Section

Under the cover of darkness, Hermione slipped through the corridors of Hogwarts with practiced ease, her wand emitting the faintest glow to guide her way. Every shadow seemed to stretch unnaturally, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.

Reaching the Restricted Section, she whispered, "Alohomora," and the lock clicked open without protest. Hermione moved carefully through the shelves, running her fingers along the spines of forbidden tomes. Titles like Secrets of the Darkest Arts and The Lost Histories of the Pureblood Lineage caught her eye, but one in particular made her pause—The Web of Shadows: Hidden Alliances Through the Ages.

Her heart pounded as she opened it, the pages crumbling slightly under her touch. She skimmed through references to ancient blood pacts, secret gatherings of dark wizards, and clandestine organizations that had operated in the shadows for centuries.

Suddenly, a low voice echoed behind her. "Looking for something, Granger?"

Hermione whirled around, wand at the ready, only to find herself face-to-face with Theodore Nott. The Slytherin leaned against a shelf, his dark eyes glinting with curiosity.

"What do you want, Nott?" Hermione asked, masking her fear with irritation.

"You're snooping around in dangerous places," he replied, his tone annoyingly casual. "Malfoy's got his eye on you and your friends. You should be careful."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "And why should I believe you?"

Nott smirked, stepping closer. "Because I know things. Things that could help you if you're willing to… exchange information."

Hermione hesitated, then held up the book. "Tell me what you know about this, and I might consider listening."

Nott's gaze flickered to the book, and a shadow crossed his face. "Careful what you ask for, Granger. Some things are better left buried."

Meanwhile – The Slytherin Dungeons

Daphne navigated the darkened corridors of the dungeons with ease, slipping unnoticed into the common room. The air was thick with whispers as she moved past huddled groups of students discussing their usual schemes and rivalries.

Spotting Pansy Parkinson by the fireplace, Daphne approached casually. "Hey, Pansy. I heard there's been talk of a gathering. Something big coming soon?"

Pansy raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. "Why? Thinking of joining the winning side, Greengrass?"

Daphne smirked. "Let's just say, I'm tired of being left out of the loop. If something's going down, I want to be prepared."

Pansy studied her for a moment before nodding toward Blaise Zabini. "Talk to Zabini. He's got the details, but don't expect him to give anything away easily."

Daphne approached Blaise, who sipped his drink with an air of detachment. "I hear there's something happening soon. Care to fill me in?"

Blaise chuckled, swirling his goblet. "Greengrass, you know better than to ask outright. But… let's just say the future of Hogwarts is about to get a lot more interesting."

Daphne leaned in, lowering her voice. "Does this have anything to do with that meeting at the Shrieking Shack?"

Blaise's eyes darkened, and his lips curved into a knowing smile. "Some secrets are best revealed at the right time. Be patient, Daphne. You'll see soon enough."

The Next Day – Gryffindor Tower

Harry, Hermione, and Daphne gathered in the common room, their expressions grim as they shared what they had learned. Hermione placed the ancient book on the table and tapped a passage she had marked.

"It mentions an old group called the Dark Accord. A secret society made up of witches and wizards who believed in preserving the pureblood dominance through hidden alliances. They've been around for centuries, working from the shadows."

Daphne crossed her arms. "Blaise was vague, but it sounds like they're planning something soon. Whatever Malfoy's involved in, it's bigger than we thought."

Harry clenched his fists. "We need to find out where and when they're planning to strike. We can't let history repeat itself."

Hermione nodded. "I think Theodore Nott might know more than he's letting on. He hinted that Malfoy's group has outside help."

Daphne smirked. "Then let's play their game. We infiltrate, we gather intel, and when the time comes… we stop them before they even start."

Harry took a deep breath, feeling the familiar weight of responsibility settle over him. "We'll stop them. No matter what it takes."

Their resolve was set, but as they looked at each other, they all knew one thing—this was only the beginning.